G–T–O. Denoting Gran Turismo Omologato, it’s an acronym which, for Ferrari disciples, represents the summit of the mountain. For those of a certain age, it brings to mind the sultry 250 GTO of 1962 – a car which, for myriad good reasons, is now among the most valuable on the planet. But for others, it’s the razor-sharp Pininfarina lines of its successor, the 288 GTO. 

Not even Il Commendatore could ignore the frenzied popularity of Group B rallying in the 1980s. A new dawn of homologation specials had, as a result, dawned, and the FIA formula’s loose framework of rules and minimum production requirement of 200 cars suited Ferrari to a tee. Here was a prime chance for the Prancing Horse to flex its muscle and show the manufacturers nipping at its heels who was boss.

The result was the 288 GTO, a technological tour de force which genuinely moved the supercar game on and boasted performance the like of which had never been seen in Maranello, let alone the rest of the world. Thanks to the emergent art (or should we say black magic?) of forced induction, there was 400bhp on tap from the 2,855cc twin-turbocharged V8. Coupled with a tubular spaceframe chassis and lightweight bodywork crafted from then-newfangled composites such as Kevlar and Nomex, that meant 0–60mph in under five seconds and a top speed of over 190mph. These were ground-breaking figures in 1985.

And where to begin with that fabulous Pininfarina-engineered shape. A fleeting glimpse in the corner of an eye might fool you into thinking this is a 308 GTB. But look properly and you’ll realise Leonardo Fioravanti’s classic design was elevated to an entirely new level – primmed and pruned, swollen and elongated to make it look like a proper purposeful road racer. The nods to its illustrious forebear the 250 GTO are nothing short of perfect. Among the very best looking Ferrari of them all? We’d struggle to disagree...

The exceptional 288 GTO we’re offering was acquired new by Luigi Bruzio, who was the owner of Gentry Lane, the Official Ferrari Dealership in Toronto. This Ferrari was not destined for one of his customers, however. Chassis number 57701 was for Bruzio’s personal collection – an indication of just how passionate he was about the Ferrari marque.

Chassis number 57701’s history file is comprehensive, chronicling this GTO’s story from even before it was originally built

Specified with optional power-operated windows and air-conditioning, the car was built to European specification (Ferrari never officially offered the 288 GTO in Canada). As a result, Bruzio travelled to Maranello in July of 1985 to collect his new car directly from the factory. A series of wonderful photographs captured inside the Ferrari factory gates document what must have been an unforgettable experience for Bruzio and his family. . Chassis number 57701 was fitted with special ‘EE’ temporary export registration plates and shipped across the Atlantic in August of 1985.

The accompanying customs importation invoice shows this Ferrari officially entered Canada on 13 September 1985, to the tune of 27,000 Canadian dollars in taxes. It also clearly states that the car was not legally allowed to be driven on the country’s highways. Over the course of the years that followed, photographs show that the 288 GTO was proudly exhibited by Bruzio in the Gentry Lane showroom and displayed at the dealership’s charity track day at the famous Mosport circuit in Ontario. “I remember going for a ride in Luigi's 288 GTO when he put together his annual charity event,” recalled one impressionable visitor. “For 250 dollars, you could be a passenger in his car for two laps around Mosport. It was the best 250 dollars I think I've ever spent!”

Tragically Luigi Bruzio passed away in 1994 and the ownership of the Ferrari passed to his estate. The fact it had only covered 1,231 kilometres is a good indication of how just much chassis number 57701’s late owner cherished it. It wasn’t until 2007 that Bruzio’s estate decided to part with the car, consigning it to RM Auctions’ Ferrari Leggenda e Passione sale in Maranello. Because of the auction’s official Ferrari seal of approval, every car offered was issued with a factory Certificate of Authenticity and certified by Ferrari Classiche. The accompanying red-book Ferrari Classiche binder confirms this 288 GTO to be a fully matching-numbers example.

Our very own Max Girardo was commanding the rostrum that day at the Fiorano test-track and remembers when this Ferrari crossed the block. “Even then, this was a particularly low-mileage 288 GTO and I remember there was much excitement about its exceptional condition prior to the auction,” Max recalls. “It was important that we did this Ferrari justice and honoured Luigi Bruzio’s memory.” Perhaps unsurprisingly, chassis number 57701 was hammered away well beyond its pre-sale estimate.

The winning bidder was based in the United Kingdom. After importing and registering the car, he promptly send it to Maranello Concessionaires for a major service, the cost of which totalled more than £4,400. Said owner kept chassis number 57701 for eight years, servicing it with an Official Ferrari Dealer annually and adding just over 200 kilometres to the odometer. Satisfyingly, it’s a similar story with this Ferrari’s third and final private owner. After acquiring the car in April of 2015, he’s only covered a further 150 kilometres in the last 10 years and had it serviced regularly by HR Owen Ferrari in London. The most recent corresponding invoice, dated September of 2024, details the replacement of the cam and auxiliary belts beyond the usual service works.

With regards to the condition of this Ferrari, it is simply the most original 288 GTO we’ve ever encountered. The bodywork is blemish-free and we’ve no cause to believe it’s been painted at all. The wheels, which are shod with new Pirelli P Zero tyres, retain their bright chrome shine and rust-free studs.

Inside, the original trim and upholstery is taut and in exceptional condition throughout, though has clearly aged subtly over the years. This is particularly evident on the tri-shade red seat inserts, which are clearly lightly used and satisfyingly shy of ‘bold’ in colour. The steering wheel is in especially good condition, with its leather grain still clearly visible and its light train-track interior stitching not discoloured at all. Beneath the engine cover, the distinctive cam covers are very clean and still a bold shade of red rather than the duller colour as found on most higher-mileage cars. Amazingly, several bolts in the engine bay including those on the rear-suspension top mounts still have their yellow factory paint markings, indicating they have never been unfastened.

Chassis number 57701 is accompanied by its factory tool roll and jack set and the ‘Gucci-style’ documents pouch, complete with its sales and service organisation booklet, owner’s manual and warranty card. There’s also the original blue spare-parts catalogue, service time schedule and even the ultra-rare auxiliary inspection lamp. Highlights from the unsurprisingly generous history file include the original Ferrari sales invoice, the original shipping waybill from Italy to Canada and Canadian customs importation paperwork. The plethora of photographs chronicling Luigi Bruzio’s ownership of this Ferrari are the proverbial cherries on the cake. 

An appropriately princely price, the disbandment of Group B and a global oil crisis meant only 272 Ferrari 288 GTOs were built, making the model by far the rarest of the ‘halo’ Ferrari supercars for which it trod a path. For context, 1,311 F40s left the factory in Maranello. Regardless, Ferrari had proved that there was demand for extreme, low-volume performance sportscars. It gave it the confidence to continue the legacy of the GTO with a run of limited-production flagship models culminating in the hybrid-powered F80.

Having covered fewer than 1,000 miles, always been maintained regardless of cost and always carefully stored by its mere three private owners, chassis number 57701 is the finest 288 GTO we’ve ever encountered and, as such, a genuine ‘reference’ example. The 288 GTO is a car which melds connoisseur subtlety with earth-shattering analogue performance. It’s small wonder why it’s considered by so many disciples of the Prancing Horse to be the marque’s mid-engined Holy Grail.

SOLD